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Court Ordered Financial Obligations

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1. Why do I have to pay restitution?

For Juveniles

With the passage of Act 33 in 1995, Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Act was amended and the mission of Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system was redefined to include the goals of Balanced and Restorative Justice. Under these principles, juveniles have an obligation to repair what they have harmed. One way to repair damage is by reimbursing the victim for financial losses suffered because of criminal behavior. Losses may include property, medical bills, home/car repairs, insurance deductibles, etc. Paying restitution is a way of taking responsibility, and a way to try to right the wrong.

For Adults

These amounts are ordered by the Court at time of sentencing, thereby requiring payment on these amounts in full. Monthly payment plans are required and payments must be made completely and consistently to ensure compliance.

2. How is the amount of restitution determined?

Restitution is determined when victims provide documentation of the value of items stolen or damaged and the costs incurred as a result of an offender’s criminal behavior. Determinations also take into account the amount of payment received, if any, from the victim’s insurance company. 

If a case goes to Court, a claim for restitution made by a victim will be verified and the Court will determine and order the actual amount of restitution owed. For juveniles, if a case is handled at an Intake Conference, an Intake Officer will verify the amount of restitution owed by the juvenile offender.

3. What if I disagree with the amount of restitution I am ordered to pay?

Concerns about Court Orders should always be discussed with your attorney.

4. Can I pay my victims directly?

Once restitution has been ordered by the Court, your payments must be made through Probation Services, Court Collections Division. Payments will be recorded so that you receive credit and victims are paid in a timely manner.

5. What about other fines, costs, and / or fees?

The Court may order you to pay fines and costs, in addition to restitution, that must be paid in full. Pursuant to Act 35 of 1991, adult offenders owe monthly fee of $60 for supervision. This fee is assessed for all those with active supervision under Luzerne County Adult Probation and Parole. Juveniles with questions about fees are directed to contact 570-825-1835.

6. Where can the balance of court ordered fines, court costs, and restitution be found?

• For juveniles who have not been adjudicated delinquent, contact 570-825-1835
• For balance information for all adult offenders and for juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent:
  • Fines, costs, and restitution information can be located online through the Court of Common Pleas Case Management System (CPCMS)
  • Follow these instructions on their website:
    • Choose E-Services
    • Select and Click Public Web Docket Sheets
    • Choose Common Pleas
    • Choose Other Criteria
    • Enter Last Name
    • Enter First Name
    • Select Luzerne County
    • Select Criminal for the Docket Type
    • Choose Search
    • Select Appropriate Case From the Results of the Search
    • Scroll Through the Pages Until You Reach the Financial Information

7. How can I make payments?

• In Person: Cash, money order, personal check, cashier’s check payments are accepted at:
  Department of Probation Services - Court Collections Division
  20 N Pennsylvania Boulevard
  Penn Place Building
  Suite 304 (3rd Floor)
  Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
  • No personal checks in excess of $1,000 are accepted
  • Payments should always include date of birth, social security number, and / or docket
  • All cash payments must be in exact change
  • Credit card payments are NOT accepted in person, and must be made online
  • Payments are accepted Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (excluding federal / legal holidays)
• By Mail: Money order, personal check, and cashier’s check payments made out to Luzerne County Probation Services, can be mailed to:
  Department of Probation Services
  Court Collections Division
  20 N Pennsylvania Boulevard
  Suite 304
  Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
  • No personal checks in excess of $1,000 are accepted
  • Payments should always include date of birth, social security number, and / or docket
  • All cash payments must be in exact change
• Online, By Credit Card: MasterCard and Visa payments are accepted online

8. When should I begin to make payments and when are payments due?

The Court Collections Division will determine suitable payment plans that are fair and reasonable to the offenders, victims, and Court to ensure payment is collected in full. Restitution must be paid in full before a case can be closed. All monies owed must be paid in full before petitioning the Court for a dismissal and expungement of ARD or PWOV. Payments will be required on a regular monthly schedule and in the amount directed.

Payments should begin immediately after sentencing. Those who owe monies are encouraged to remit additional payments above and beyond their payment plan when possible. Juveniles remain on probation until the age of 21 if they do not fulfill the court ordered obligations. Juveniles must make all payments in full before a Consent Decree can expire.

9. What is a Judgment?

Pursuant to 42 PA. C.SA. 9728 (b), all defendants who have been convicted by a Court of Common Pleas and subsequently owe more than a $1,000 in fines, costs, or restitution, will receive a civil judgment. The Clerk of Courts Office is required to file a civil judgment in the Luzerne County Prothonotary’s Office regardless of the existence of a payment plan or if payments are being made. Judgments are satisfied upon payment in full. For further information on judgments, contact 570-825-1774. Judgement will be filed against any juvenile offenders reaching the age of 21 who have not made payment in full.

10. What will happen if I do not make payments as directed?

For Adult Offenders

Court Collections will monitor all cases for compliance. Failure to comply with payment plans may result in:

• Contempt of court
• Incarceration
• Issuance of a bench warrant
• A judgment (lien) may be filed
• Reporting to a collections agency resulting in a 25% increase in your balance
• Reporting to the credit bureau
• Suspension of driver’s license
• Violation of probation / parole / supervision

For Juveniles

Failure to pay is a technical violation of your supervision. If restitution is not paid, a number of outcomes may result, those being:

• Civil suit filed by the victim against the juvenile and / or parents
• Extension of Consent Decree
• Extension of probation supervision
• A hearing before the Juvenile Court Judge
• A judgment (lien) may be filed once the juvenile offender turns 21, preventing future purchase of vehicles and/or property until the ordered payment is satisfied

11. What if I bounce a check for my fines, court costs restitution?

Upon receiving information from the financial institution that a check will not be honored, the check writer will receive a notice. This notice will advise the check writer that the account for which they were trying to pay on will be assessed a $35 returned check fee. The check writer will have 3 days to make the check good, including on the payment of the returned check fee. Future personal checks will not be honored on the account. Individuals who fail to comply with the notice will be referred for criminal prosecution.

12. What will happen if I move, get a new phone number, or change my employment?

Changes in residence, phone number, and/or employment must be reported within 5 days:

• For adult offenders:
  • Last names beginning with A to K:
    • Karl Blight, Restitution Officer: 570-408-8222
    • Email Karl Blight
  • Last names beginning with L to Z:
    • Laura Klemow, Adult Probation / Parole Officer: 570-408-8171
    • Email Laura Klemow
• For ARD/PWV cases contact:
  • Last names beginning with A to K:
    • Debra Polacheck, Fiscal Technician: 570-820-6360
    • Email Debra Polacheck
  • Last names beginning with L to Z:
    • Jane Petro, Fiscal Technician: 570-408-8172
    • Email Jane Petro
• For all juvenile offenders, contact: 570-825-1835

13. How can I get detailed copies of all my case balances or the payments made to date?

Detailed reports may be requested in person, and are subject to a $0.25 per page fee, owed at the time of the request at:
Department of Probation Services - Court Collections Division
20 N Pennsylvania Boulevard
Penn Place Building
Suite 304 (3rd Floor)
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (excluding federal / legal holidays)

Juvenile offenders looking to request such copies should contact 570-825-1835 to ensure a report would be available upon reporting in person.

14. I am owed court-ordered restitution but have not been receiving payments; who can help?

Victims with questions or concerns about receiving their payments should speak to the appropriate contact below:

• For adult offenders:
  • Last names beginning with A to K:
    • Karl Blight, Restitution Officer: 570-408-8222
    • Email Karl Blight
  • Last names beginning with L to Z:
    • Laura Klemow, Adult Probation / Parole Officer: 570-408-8171
    • Email Laura Klemow
• For ARD/PWV cases contact:
  • Last names beginning with A to K:
    • Debra Polacheck, Fiscal Technician: 570-820-6360
    • Email Debra Polacheck
  • Last names beginning with L to Z:
    • Jane Petro, Fiscal Technician: 570-408-8172
    • Email Jane Petro
• For all juvenile offenders, contact: 570-825-1835

15. My license is suspended. Now what?

You must be in compliance with your court ordered financial obligations to have your driver’s license reinstated. If you have your license reinstated and then fail to pay, PennDOT will receive notification to suspend your privilege indefinitely until paid in full. If you have questions about your license suspension, contact: 570-408-8586.

16. If I am unable to comply with my payment plan due to medical reasons, what should I do?

Written medical verification, from a physician, detailing the reason, duration, and work restrictions that pertinent to an offender’s ability to work and pay must be submitted to:
Department of Probation Services - Court Collections Division
20 N Pennsylvania Boulevard
Suite 304
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

17. If I am in jail, what happens to my payment plan?

The payment plan will remain in effect and it will be expected that payments resume upon release.

Act 84 requirements will be in effective while an offender is incarcerated - 20% of inmate monies are forwarded for payment on the offender’s outstanding financial obligations to the Court.

18. I'm a juvenile. What do I do about paying restitution?

Juveniles ordered to pay restitution should speak to their Probation Officer, who has access to special work programs. Probation Officers may be able to assist in finding employment or performing community service in order to satisfy restitution obligation. If you are too young to work, check with your parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors, you may be able to do chores or other tasks to earn money.